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Question referendum as a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict.

Question referendum as a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict.

For nearly 40 years, the completion of an Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) has been blocked by the absence of a constructive solution concerning the Western Sahara, the former Spanish colony that lies between Mauritania, Morocco and Algeria.

Despite international mobilization (United Nations, Europe, Spain, the United States, the African Union Commission, the League of Arab States), no acceptable solution has yet been found. And the persistence of this conflict creates a moral and/or financial cost for the Saharawi people, the international community, Morocco and Algeria.

Africa, the Maghreb and the international community cannot allow the Saharawi people to remain in this impasse.

In order to find a lasting political solution to a conflict that has lasted too long, Rachid Nekkaz proposes the following solution:

The organization of a referendum,within the next 12 months and under the auspices of the UN, composed of 3 questions:

1) Do you want autonomy?

2) Do you want independence?

3) Would you agree with the proposal that the Western Sahara be under the double sovereignty (a condominium) between Algeria and Morocco for the next 10 years?

The novelty of this referendum resides in the third question: that of the establishment of an Algerian- Moroccan Condominium over the Western Sahara, under the supervision of the United Nations.

The Principality of Andorra, located between France and Spain, is an example of a Condominium.

Why a Condominium?

The international community is aware that the poor relations existing between Algeria and Morocco for the last 40 years is one of the reasons for the negative status quo in the region. A better relationship between the two countries would contribute to a constructive political solution to the situation.

To improve bi-lateral relations implies a frank dialogue without taboos between Algeria and Morocco, by addressing sensitive subjects such as:

1) Drug trafficking for which Morocco must commit to drastically control its borders
2) Other contraband smuggling across borders
3) Mutual smear campaigns in the media
4) Adefinitive agreement on the borders between the two countries.

With this new perspective, the solution of the Condominium would allow the Saharawi people to finally face the future with confidence. Sahrawi refugees could indeed move back to Western Sahara and participate in the development of the region, with the help of the international community.

Should the establishment of an Algerian-Moroccan Condominium be democratically and freely approved by the Saharawi people, a new referendum would occur after 10 years,with the following question:
Do you, the Saharawi people, desire independence?

If the Sahrawi people responds “Yes”, the Western Sahara would become an independent state.
If they answer “No”, the Western Sahara would simply remain a Condominium, as is the case for the Principality of Andorra.

2 réflexions au sujet de « Question referendum as a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict. »

You propose 3 alternative solutons for the referendum: autonomy, independence, or a condominium between Algeria and Morocco. That will never be accepted by the Morrocans since they already reject a proposal where Sahrawis would have the choice between being under Morrocan sovereignity (which you don’t propose) and autonomy or independence. Your proposal is tougher than what is already on the table.